New plan has UF choosing a president in January

Published: Friday, November 30, 2012 at 7:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 30, 2012 at 7:24 p.m.

The University of Florida won’t be getting a new president until next year.

UF presidential search committee chairman David Brown announced Friday that interviews and the selection of a new president are now planned for Jan. 10-12.

The search committee had previously set aside dates this week and next weekend for the possible conclusion of the process. Brown, who is also board of trustees chairman, announced in a letter to the UF community that the conclusion would wait until the new year.

“We decided not to hold campus visits after the fall semester ends or during the holidays, as we want to ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity to observe or be present,” he said.

UF President Bernie Machen announced in June that he was retiring by the end of 2013, with the exact date determined by the naming of his successor. A search committee was named in July and started working the next month on details such as the qualifications sought in candidates, campus interview sites and possible compensation.

“You will recall when we started this process last July we anticipated it could take anywhere from six months to a year, and we are almost at the six-month point,” Brown said in the letter.

UF’s search consultant, Jan Greenwood, has said that major research university presidents are interested in the UF job but waiting until the last minute to apply. Florida’s Sunshine Law means their applications are public record, leading candidates to face possible scrutiny on their campuses for seeking new jobs.

UF expects the search process to conclude over three days, during which top candidates will be selected, those candidates will be interviewed on campus and finalists will take part in open forums. Trustees would choose a new president at the end of the third day.

Contact Nathan Crabbe at 338-3176 or nathan.crabbe@gvillesun.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/nathancrabbe.

<p>The University of Florida won't be getting a new president until next year.</p><p>UF presidential search committee chairman David Brown announced Friday that interviews and the selection of a new president are now planned for Jan. 10-12.</p><p>The search committee had previously set aside dates this week and next weekend for the possible conclusion of the process. Brown, who is also board of trustees chairman, announced in a letter to the UF community that the conclusion would wait until the new year.</p><p>“We decided not to hold campus visits after the fall semester ends or during the holidays, as we want to ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity to observe or be present,” he said.</p><p>UF President Bernie Machen announced in June that he was retiring by the end of 2013, with the exact date determined by the naming of his successor. A search committee was named in July and started working the next month on details such as the qualifications sought in candidates, campus interview sites and possible compensation.</p><p>“You will recall when we started this process last July we anticipated it could take anywhere from six months to a year, and we are almost at the six-month point,” Brown said in the letter.</p><p>UF's search consultant, Jan Greenwood, has said that major research university presidents are interested in the UF job but waiting until the last minute to apply. Florida's Sunshine Law means their applications are public record, leading candidates to face possible scrutiny on their campuses for seeking new jobs.</p><p>UF expects the search process to conclude over three days, during which top candidates will be selected, those candidates will be interviewed on campus and finalists will take part in open forums. Trustees would choose a new president at the end of the third day.</p><p><i>Contact Nathan Crabbe at 338-3176 or nathan.crabbe@gvillesun.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/nathancrabbe.</i></p>